Average User Score

— We love, love our Pilot! It is safe, roomy and comfortable. We have never had any issues with this car. The is nothing this car couldn't get us through during the past snowy and icy winter. Of all...
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Great Family Roadsterby rlm18usa

— We like the fact the kids are very comfortable and that we have seating for a lot of their friends as well. For a awd 4x4 it did very good compared to similar SUVs as far as ride handling fuel mileage...
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Lovely Honda Pilot! by Paul

— 2nd Pilot for me. Owned a 2007 EX-L Navy in white and traded when it hit 130Kmiles in 2011. Moved to this Pearl Touring Edition and loved it. Father in law liked it so much that he purchased the exact...
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2011 Honda Pilot Review

Alas, the 2011 Pilot continues to suffer from lackluster brakes, as well as sluggish acceleration off the line, tepid fuel economy, low-rent cabin materials, and a cluttered center stack.

The CarGurus View

As a family-friendly CUV, the 2011 Honda Pilot works well enough. There are, however, other crossovers out there with significantly better refinement and performance. Despite its pedigree, the Pilot is distinctly middle-of-the-road.

At a Glance

Relying perhaps a bit too much on past glory, the 2011 Honda Pilot may be running out of steam. Granted, this family-oriented eight-passenger midsize crossover SUV still looks like it can tackle the Matterhorn, while a car-like ride and loads of standard features coddle driver and passengers, but rivals, such as Dodge’s Journey, GMC’s Acadia, Toyota’s 4Runner and Highlander, Chevy’s Equinox, and Ford’s Flex offer more refinement, better performance, and classier styling for about the same money. Despite its reputation for reliability, build quality, and kickin’ resale value, Honda is facing slumping sales with its new Pilot generation simply because it can’t or won’t keep up with the competition.

Again in 2011, the Pilot is available in four trim levels, the base LX, lower-midlevel EX, upper-class EX-L, and top-of-the-line Touring. Though front-wheel drive (FWD) is the standard drivetrain configuration, four-wheel drive (4WD) is available in each trim level. Additionally, all trims pack a tolerably peppy V6 engine with its ubiquitous five-speed automatic transmission. Though essentially unchanged from 2010, the latest incarnation of the Pilot sports an available hard-drive navigation system for the EX-L and standard rear-seat DVD entertainment in the Touring trim.

Among the 2011 Pilot’s high points is a spacious cabin with some 87 cubic feet of cargo room when the rear seats are folded flat, as well as a surprisingly generous third-row seat, standard trailer hitch and wiring across the lineup, a commanding stance, and a truck-like profile that remains distinctly un-crossover-like. So go ahead and kick the 2011 Pilot’s tires, but be advised that there are other mini-utes out there that offer similar if not better value.

Drivetrain

The sole powertrain for the 2011 Honda Pilot remains a 3.6-liter V6 engine under the management of a dated but still effective five-speed automatic transmission with brake hill holder. This matchup puts out 250 hp at 5,700 rpm and 253 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. Variable valve timing and Honda’s Variable Cylinder Management cylinder deactivation system (VCM) help earn a less-than-joyous 17/23 mpg for FWD trims and 16/22 for 4WD configurations, while trailer-towing capacity is 3,500 pounds for FWD Pilot trims and 4,500 pounds for 4WD-equipped trims.

The 2011 Pilot’s on-demand 4WD system is modulated by a manually operated rear locking differential that provides Variable Torque Management (VTM) by adding torque to the rear wheels when slippage is detected in the front wheels. This feature comes in handy when starting out in particularly tough road conditions and will automatically unlock after reaching 18 mph.

Most professional reviewers are relatively unimpressed by either the V6’s performance or its fuel efficiency, though none goes so far as to actually dismiss it outright. One test had the 2011 Pilot plodding from 0-60 in 9.7 seconds, with the comment that this time is nearly a full second behind most of the V6-equipped competition. Once up to speed, however, the V6 gives ample signs of being able to pass and merge with the best of them, while the five-speed automatic is generally smooth and responsive in its shifts. Several reviews do mention that the automatic has a propensity to hunt around for the proper gear when pushed a bit. Additionally, several reviewers note the hefty curb weight of this sturdy ute to be a distinct drag on engine performance. On the positive side, all reviewers agree that the V6 emits a pleasantly throaty growl on acceleration that ought to impress owners and bystanders alike.

Though some float and wallow do occasionally rear their ugly heads, most reviewers claim the Pilot recovers nicely and reduces rough pavement to a non-factor for the most part. Handling characteristics, however, are a different matter, with most reviewers agreeing that steering can be ponderous, with a goodly amount of body lean in tight cornering. Noseplow, though not excessive, remains noteworthy to more than a few reviewers, while several agree that 4WD trims seem better composed all around, not to mention boasting some moderate off-road capability.

Braking, long a sore spot with Honda vehicles, is once again considered iffy on the Pilot. Though reviewers appreciate the tight pedal feel, virtually all agree that this hefty ute takes an uncomfortably long distance to come to a full stop.

Cabin & Comfort

A strong suit of the 2011 Pilot lineup is its plethora of standard creature comforts. The base trim of the lineup, the LX nevertheless offers a host of standard cabin amenities. Features such as cloth upholstery, remote power door locks, power windows and mirrors, cruise control, telescoping and tilting steering wheel, front and overhead consoles with storage, front and rear air conditioning, and 135 watts of audio with an MP3-capable single-CD player and seven speakers including a subwoofer complement such plebian items as a trailer hitch and wiring, trip computer, and privacy glass. Stepping up to the EX gets an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support, steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, universal remote garage door opener, tri-zone climate control, and a 155-watt stereo with 6-CD changer and XM satellite radio.

The only true options offered with the Pilot are the navigation system and rear-seat DVD entertainment available in the EX-L trim level. There are, however a number of what Honda likes to call accessories, such as a roof rack, 17-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, and upgraded cabin trim for the LX, with 18-inch alloy wheels and remote engine start available for the EX and above trims. Step running boards are additionally available across the lineup.

Though reviewers are unimpressed with the plethora of hard plastic surfaces common in the 2011 Pilot, they do laud its comfy seats and unusually generous third-row space. The center stack is noted to be a bit cluttered with buttons and knobs, with the somewhat awkward placement of the dash-mounted shifter complicating things just a little more. Cabin storage is described as generous, while the rear-seat climate control system in the higher trims is praised by a few reviewers for its handy LCD screen and centralized location.

Safety

Traditionally a leader in producing safe, reliable vehicles, Honda maintains this record with the 2011 Pilot lineup. Standard passenger protection equipment includes four-wheel disc ABS, with electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency braking assist, traction and stability control, dual front side-mounted airbags, three-row head airbags, front head restraint whiplash protection, and daytime running lights across the trim spectrum. The EX and above additionally carry standard front fog/driving lights that are optional for the LX trim, along with a standard remote anti-theft alarm. The Touring, as befits its princely status, also carries standard turn-signal-integrated mirrors and front and rear parking sensors. Finally, rear parking sensors are available for the LX, EX, and EX-L trim levels.

With its more demanding testing system implemented, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the 2011 Pilot five stars for side impact occupant protection and four stars in front impact and rollover protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), meanwhile, gives the Pilot its highest score of Good in front and side impact testing, while rollover protection is rated as Marginal, its next-to-lowest score.

What Owners Think

Tepid gas mileage and lazy acceleration seem to be the major hang-ups that owners find with the 2011 Pilot, with many lamenting the lack of a six-speed transmission or available V8 powerplant. The dash-mounted shifter has several owners scratching their heads, while chintzy cabin materials and a less-than-ideal stereo sound haven’t exactly elevated the Pilot to legend. Additionally, the standard power sunroof in the EX-L and Touring trims is said by more than a few owners to need some revision, while others bemoan a continuing lack of stand-alone navigation, rear-seat entertainment, rear-view camera system, or up-graded audio.

On the plus side, owners of the 2011 Pilot are very satisfied with its styling, cabin and cargo space, reliability, and the smooth ride they get with this midsize crossover. More than a few owners additionally laud this hefty ute’s improved braking capability, though a couple mention that it still isn’t perfect. Finally, the traditionally high resale value of the Honda brand is mentioned by a majority of owners when praising their new Pilot.

Have Laptop, Will Travel. I'm retired and travelling the country in a 34' motor home. I'm really digging meeting people . . and sometimes their cars . . . getting a sense of what makes this nation tick. The plan is to visit all the national parks in the continental US, then cruise to Alaska to visit Denali, and to Hawaii to check out Haleakala and the Hawaii Volcano's national parks.
Anyhow, when I'm not horsing the motor home around the roadways, I'm tooting around in the 2012 Ford Focus that we tow behind, or making runs to Home Depot and various malls with the 2004 F-150 that just won't die.

What's your take on the 2011 Honda Pilot?

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trinab35 Overall I love my 2011 Honda Pilot 2WD. I have had it for 2 years and it has 35000 miles on it. It had been getting great gas mileage for the last 2 years...22 Hwy and 18 city but suddenly in the last couple of months, I am only getting 14 mpg in the city. I keep the oil and filters changed and get regular maintenance, so not sure why the sudden change. Other than that it's great. Use it like a truck and it drives and handles like a car.